Hip-Hop
Suspect Arrested, Charged With Murder in Shooting Death of King Von
Billboard has reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for comment. Bennet, 26, was among three men killed outside of Atlanta’s Monaco Hookah Lounge on Friday. The shootings took place around 3 a.m. when an argument between two groups turned into a fight in the nightclub’s parking lot. The rapper, who grew up on the South side of Chicago, was known for his sing-song style on tracks such as “Crazy Story” and “What It’s Like.” He was also childhood friends with fellow MCs Lil Durk and Chief Keef. Following the tragic news of Bennett’s death, hip-hop stars such as Chance the Rapper and Big Sean took to social media to mourn his loss. See their tributes here. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking fo...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions Lose Luster Without Live Element: Review
It’s been a strange year for the music industry. Case in point: we’re finally watching the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions in November, it’s all being done remotely by tape, and there are no musical performances. Nothing about this is normal, of course, and fans will surely miss the who’s who of rock royalty that can usually be seen rubbing shoulders at the ceremony, not to mention the opportunity to see our heroes climb on stage together — sometimes for the first time in years — to accept hardware and even take a stab at performing our favorite songs. Obviously, the raging COVID-19 pandemic made a normal induction ceremony impossible, and those who produced or took part in Saturday’s telecast deserve credit for finding a way to safely honor the best of the music industry. <i...
Beyonce Shares Throwback Photos of Biden and Harris to Celebrate Historic Election Results
Beyonce shared a third picture of modern-day Biden and Harris excitedly clenching hands in front of a large American flag at what appears to be a campaign rally. “Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” reads a message below the pic. Earlier in the week, the 39-year-old superstar singer proudly displayed her “I Voted” sticker and “Biden Harris” face mask to show which 2020 ticket was getting her stamp of approval. “Come thru, Texas! #VOTE,” Beyonce captioned the black-and-white Instagram boomerang. See more artist reactions to the historic White House win here. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with...
DMX Opens Up About the Origins of His Crack Addiction, Says He Was Given a Laced Blunt
DMX got vulnerable in a new interview with Talib Kweli on his People’s Party show, sharing his story of crack addiction and how it started. “I learned that I had to deal with the things that hurt me,” he shared. “I didn’t really have anybody to talk to… in the hood, nobody wants to hear that… Talking about your problems is viewed as a sign of weakness when actually it’s one of the bravest things you can do. One of the bravest things you can do is put it on the table, chop it up, and just let it out.” He went on to reveal that his journey with drug abuse started at just 14 years old, when his mentor gave him a crack-laced blunt without telling him what he smoked. “He passed the blunt around and… I hit the blunt,” he explained, misty eyed. “...
Kevin Gates Sings John Mayer’s Eponymous Hook on New Song “Wonderland”: Stream
Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates built a name for himself with his confessional anthems and transparent tracks, but lately he’s been exploring his talent as a singer, too. His latest effort, a new single called “Wonderland”, sees him continue that trend in an unexpected way: by covering John Mayer. Technically speaking, “Wonderland” is an original number by Gates about the highs and lows of being a hopeless romantic. To doll up the chorus, he sings the hook of Mayer’s Grammy-winning hit “Your Body Is a Wonderland”, off his 2001 breakout album Room for Squares, rather faithfully. But make no mistake: Gates doesn’t go full-blown lovey-dovey here. Whereas Mayer’s song is a cheesy attempt to woo a woman over, Gates’ number gets straight to the point about sexual attraction. (Hence a lyric like, “W...
YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Nicki Minaj Link Up on New Song “What That Speed Bout?!”: Stream
In 2018, YoungBoy Never Broke Again released “Nicki Minaj”, a song that paid homage to the Queens-bred rapper of the same name. Today, it appears YoungBoy’s teenage dreams have come true, as he’s now collaborated with idol Minaj on a new single called “What That Speed Bout?!”. The track comes courtesy of veteran producer Mike WiLL Made-It, whose winding synths and stabbing percussion make for a listen that alternates between hypnotizing and urgent. And what is that speed bout, you might wonder? I’m still not quite sure, but I did learn YoungBoy has “got seven figures bouncin’ in the car” and watches Blues Clues, while Minaj loves to rock “diamonds on the chain, blingin’ off my tits.” Big moods all around. All three acts appear in the song’s shiny sci-fi video from Edgar Esteves and Austin ...
Chicago Rapper King Von Shot and Killed: Report
Chicago rapper King Von was reportedly shot and killed outside of an Atlanta nightclub early Friday morning. According to Atlanta police deputy chief Timothy Peek (via the Atlanta Journal Constitution), a confrontation between two groups erupted outside of Atlanta’s Monaco Hookah Lounge shortly after 3:00 a.m. local time. Tragically, “that physical altercation escalated into an exchange of gunfire with those groups.” Two off-duty Atlanta police officers who were working security at the club intervened and exchanged gunfire. Peek said police are investigating the incident, but have yet to determine a motive or identify the gunman(s) responsible for the fatal shots. DJ Akademiks has confirmed that King Von was one of the victims killed in the shooting. “I spoke with his manager who...
Nicki Minaj Teams Up With NBA YoungBoy & Mike Will Made-It for ‘What That Speed Bout’: Watch
New mama Nicki Minaj is fierce as ever, dropping a fiery new collaboration with NBA YoungBoy and Mike Will Made-It on Friday (Nov. 6). The song, “What That Speed Bout,” finds the collaborators trading verses over a dynamic beat. The accompanying music video features Minaj while she was still pregnant, decked in a lime green two-piece set and metallic thigh-high boots, with her baby bump on display. YoungBoy matches the futuristic aesthetic in a white vest over a blue and white mesh long sleeve shirt. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and h...
Common Performs “Say Peace” on Fallon with Black Thought: Watch
Common linked up with Black Thought and PJ for a new performance of “Say Peace” on Wednesday’s episode of The Tonight Show. The song is off Common’s jazzy new album A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1, which came out last Friday, October 30th. Like so many pandemic performances, “Say Peace” was a combination late-night concert, livestream, and music video. Common and Black Thought rapped in a sound stage together, while a projection of PJ floated behind. The song also included imagery of peaceful protests and young people holding up a single fist representing Black power. Watch it below. Over the summer, Common and John Legend paid tribute to late congressman John Lewis with a DNC rendition of the Oscar-winner “Glory”. Last month, Black Thought released his own excellent solo album Strea...
24kGoldn Drops “Mood” Remix with Justin Bieber and J Balvin: Stream
J Balvin (photo by Heather Kaplan), 24kGoldn, and Justin Bieber (images via Instagram) No sooner had 24kGoldn’s “Mood” summited the Billboard Hot 100 then did Ariana Grande’s “Positions” knock it back down. But in the year of our Lord 1 ALN (that’s After Lil Nas X) we know there’s nothing like a starry remix to buoy flagging sales. In the spirit of the many incarnations of “Old Town Road”, 19-year-old 24kGoldn has shared “Mood (Remix)” featuring two of the biggest superstars in the Americas, Justin Bieber and J Balvin. In its original form, “Mood” featured Puerto Rican singer iann dior. His voice is a littler higher than 24kGoldn, but they have similar tones, and on a first listen only a fan familiar with their music would be able to tell them apart. That’s no longer a problem with Bieber ...
The Weeknd Sings in Spanglish on Fiery ‘Hawái’ Remix With Maluma: Watch the Video
Co-written by Maluma alongside Keityn, Edgar Barrera, and Bull Nene and produced by Rude Boy, the romantic urban bop, originally released in July, is about a relationship that couldn’t work out and one of the exes “moved on” but it’s all an act. The original music video, filmed in Miami by Jessy Terrero of Cinema Giants, shows Maluma arguing with his girlfriend, breaking up, a confrontation at her wedding with another man, and a surprising plot twist. The remix video, also at the helm of Terrero, was filmed in Los Angeles and features both artists. “Hawái” is currently in its ninth week at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. The song earned Maluma just his second No. 1 on the list among his 40 chart entries Watch the music video for the “Hawái” remix below. You Deserve to Make Money Even W...
J Dilla’s Welcome 2 Detroit Gets 20th Anniversary 7-Inch Vinyl Box Set
Next year will mark 20 years since the release of J Dilla’s solo debut album, Welcome 2 Detroit. To celebrate, Dilla’s early label BBE Music has announced a deluxe 7-inch vinyl box set reissue set for release on February 5th, 2021. Welcome 2 Detroit — The 20th Anniversary Edition presents the original LP remastered and split amongst 10 discs. Each disc includes one or two of the 16 album tracks backed by either an instrumental or alternate take. The exception is “Rico Suave Bossa Nova”, which is paired with a previously unreleased edit by Azymuth. An additional 11th disc features newly released alternate outtakes, demos, and mixes, while disc 12 includes both the original and instrumental versions of DJ Muror’s new remix of “Think Twice”. Also packaged in the box is a book by British write...
